Recently I took advantage of the $600 Relief Association benefit to create a Will and Trust. Yes! LAFRA just gave me 600 bucks! If you haven’t already, you should take advantage of this important benefit too. It allows for the full amount of the $600 to be applied towards the cost of having a Trust and Will established for you and for your family. I encourage you to make this a top priority. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are – everyone needs a Will and Trust. Afterall, we are men and women who dedicate our lives to the service of others. Should we not be aggressive in taking care of those who we know and love? What are you waiting for?
Quick and Easy Process
The process is not as time consuming as you might think. One short visit to an attorney of your choice and you’ll have all the needed documents filled out. Don’t know of an attorney? Check out the ads in the Grapevine for attorneys who work with firefighters on a regular basis.
Here’s how it works: you, or if married, you and your spouse, sit down with your attorney and figure out how your assets should be distributed, as well as how your other wishes will be carried out. It takes about an hour. That’s it!
I can tell you that we can be forgiven for the sin of procrastination, but total neglect of this benefit is a sin in itself if not taken advantage of. Plan on getting it done soon for the sake of your children and those that you love. Once you clutch that legal binder in your hands and place it in a safe place, you can rest a little easier knowing that you have done the responsible thing. You’ll place your family in a much more secure position, potentially eliminating great stress in a very stressful time. Then share with them the importance of what you have done to protect them in the future.
Cemetery Benefit
On another note, the early members of our Relief Association had the foresight to provide another valuable benefit. Years ago, investments were made in burial plots that our members could purchase to lay their loved ones to rest. Over the years, many of our members have taken advantage of this important benefit. Today, inventory is still available in many cemeteries throughout Southern California. Your Relief Association would like you to know that there are still many plots available for purchase, but now at a discounted rate.
Here’s the Offer
Find the cemetery of your choice and look at our inventory of plots. Once a cemetery is chosen and the plot has been determined, the Relief Association will discount the cost of the plot by 50% off the going rate. If you were to negotiate the cost of a plot on your own, you’d pay the going rate. If you wait until someone actually dies, you’ll pay much more than that. Since these plots are owned by the Relief Association, we will determine the going rate and discount that to half, passing the savings onto you.
The following cemeteries in Southern California are locations where plots are available:
• Conejo Mountain Memorial Park
• Eternal Valley Memorial Park
• Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Covina
• Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills
• Forest Lawn, Glendale
• Glen Haven Memorial Park
• Green Hills Memorial Park
• Hollywood Forever Cemetery
• Inglewood Memorial Park
• Mountain View Cemetery
• Pacific View Memorial Park
• Pacific Crest Cemetery
• Pomona Valley Cemetery
• Rose Hills Memorial Park
• Valhalla Memorial Park
• Valley Oaks Memorial Park
• Westminster Memorial Park
Prior planning by you will not only help relieve some of the stress that comes in sorrowful times, but will also reduce the accompanying expenses. If you are interested in purchasing any of the available plots, or have any related questions, please contact any one of us in the Community Liaison Office.
By SJ Ruda, Community Affairs Liaison
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Now Here to Serve You
Two LAFD retirees have recently joined the LAFRA staff as Community Affairs Liaisons. In addition to providing excellent customer services to our members, Isaac Burks and Steve Ruda will be preparing death notices, attending retirement dinners and funerals, and maintaining records for members and their families.
Both were US Marines before joining the LAFD. Isaac served 30 years and retired from FS 56 in 2008. He then worked for Councilmember Tom LaBonge as the Deputy of Arts and Culture for eight years. Steve served the LAFD for 40 years and just recently retired out of Battalion 15.